Today, many different materials are used to decorate the ceiling. They differ in operational characteristics, installation method. One of the best options for decorating office premises, buildings of shopping and entertainment centers is Armstrong-type suspended ceilings.
The presented material is sometimes used in private construction. However, in public places it is still mounted more often. This is due to the features of its installation. The presented plates are easier to install in a large room. In this case, the finish will be faster.
general characteristics
The characteristics of Armstrong suspended ceilings make them in demand in modern construction. This finishing material is characterized by ease of assembly and relatively low cost. Over other varieties of finishes, it has many advantages. This material has a number of disadvantages. You should find out about them before starting installation.
Today, Armstrong-type ceilings include frame products that consist of cells of a certain size. These plates are made of various mineral components.
Almost everyone can mount a suspended structure. Even a master without special work experience can assemble such a ceiling. Moreover, the installation does not require much time. Installation of this type of finish is carried out in almost all rooms. However, before choosing materials, you need to familiarize yourself with their main features.
Advantages
The device of false ceilings of the Armstrong type has a lot of advantages. This finish option will allow access to ventilation ducts when necessary. Under the plates, wires, sensors and other devices can be mounted. Access to them will also not be difficult.
If the base is not aesthetically pleasing, the plates will close it. In this case, the ceiling will be perfectly flat. Caring for the surface of the ceiling will be easy.
Plates are characterized by good reflective ability. Therefore, when they are installed, it is possible to install light bulbs in the chandelier. The design also features high sound absorption. Plates are made of natural materials that do not harm the environment and human health.
A wide selection of accessories for the presented type of decoration is on sale. Therefore, installation becomes simple and quick.
disadvantages
False ceilings of the Armstrong type also have certain disadvantages. Mineral plates do not withstand the flood from above. It should be noted that the material does not deteriorate from water. However, in case of flooding, the slabs freely pass water into the room. If there is a high probability that the neighbors from above can forget to turn off the water or the old plumbing is installed in the house, it is better to mount a PVC film. A stretch ceiling in this case will be preferable.
If the room often changes temperature, humidity level, mineral material loses its appearance. Its surface may acquire a yellowish tint.
Plates cannot withstand even light impacts and other mechanical influences. Therefore, during installation, you need to be as careful as possible. Fragile material may break. Also, a cork flying into the ceiling will definitely break through the mineral plate. It is better to have in stock a few additional plates that will allow you to quickly make repairs.
Device
A detailed consideration is deserved by the installation of Armstrong suspended ceilings. On a frame of metal profiles, plates of a certain size are mounted.
Plates can be created from various materials. They can be hard or soft. Plates are mounted on profiles of painted metal or plastic. They have appropriate holes for hanging the structure. They are interconnected using spring locks. Wall profiles differ from the others in thickness and configuration.
Profiles can be trimmed from the side opposite the lock. The suspension includes straight rods and hook-shaped products. The sheets of metal from which the suspension is made are interconnected by means of a spring. It is called a butterfly. With it, you can adjust the height of the suspension.
As fasteners, dowels are selected. To disassemble the structure, you just need to lift the plate and move it to the side. After this, the assembly is carried out in the reverse order.
Slabs
Armstrong-type suspended ceiling slabs are noted for certain characteristics . The dimensions of the finishing elements can be 60x60 cm or 120x60 cm. Various materials are used in the manufacture of plates.
As mentioned above, the cells can be hard or soft. In the first case, the plates are made of glass, metal or mirrors. Soft varieties can be created on a mineral or organic basis.
If the ceiling will be mounted from rigid plates, special profiles must be used. Their design is reinforced in a special way. This will allow the ceiling for a long time not to deform, to be reliable. However, this significantly increases the cost of the finishing process.
Mineral materials are rarely used. They include mineral wool. Organic boards are made from paper. This is one of the easiest and most affordable finishes. Cutting such material is not difficult, which can not be said about hard varieties.
Specifications
Before buying a finish, you need to consider the technical specifications of the Armstrong suspended ceiling. Plates can have a thickness of 0.8-2.5 cm. The weight depends on the type of material.
When choosing plates, you must pay attention to the sound absorption coefficient. If it is an office open space, call-center, etc., it is recommended to purchase plates with a high indicator. In this case, the correct acoustics will be created in the room.
The sound insulation of the plates is quite high. The larger it is, the more expensive the material will be. If the ceiling is planned to be installed in a humid room, it is recommended to use moisture-resistant varieties. They do not absorb water, which allows the finish to not lose its aesthetic appearance for a long time.
Combustible and non-combustible stove categories are on sale. The choice depends on the purpose of the room, the existing rules for its safe operation.
Suspension system
Armstrong suspended ceilings can be mounted in various ways. There are modular and continuous designs. The first variety is more common. It consists of a modular frame. It consists of panels, rails and cassettes.
The frame is most often closed with plates. In some cases, its protruding elements do not mask. This creates a certain visual effect in the room. It should be noted that when creating suspended structures, the distance from the floor to the ceiling in the room will decrease more than with the arrangement of tension systems. But in the resulting space you can easily hide unseemly communication systems, ventilation, etc.
A frame of profiles is mounted to the base of the ceiling. The distance between them is 60 cm (corresponds to the size of the plates). Installation resembles the assembly of drywall systems.
Accessories
On sale today various accessories for suspended ceilings of the Armstrong type are presented . They allow you to give the ceiling a different appearance.
Plates are available with three different kinds of edges. The first one is called Microlook. Its edge is quite narrow. It has a step configuration. The cells shown are used for profiles that have a width of 1.5 cm.
A Tegular edge is also characterized by a stepped edge. However, these plates are mounted on a wider profile. It has a size of 2.4 cm.
Boards are the most versatile edge. They have a smooth structure. They can be used in all types of suspension structures.
Frame mounting
To install the suspended ceiling, you must first mount the frame. It should be even. The fastening of the profiles is first carried out on the base of the wall. It is important to use the construction level. With it, a mark is made across the wall where the profile will be mounted.
Elements of the metal frame are cut in accordance with the size of the room. With the help of dowels, they are attached to the base. Next, measure the exact dimensions of the supporting profile. Metal elements are trimmed and laid out on the floor in the form of a grid. Then they are installed in the supporting frame. Each bar is installed in the appropriate place, their sagging is evaluated.
Next, longitudinal connections are measured and established. All actions must be carried out after accurate measurements. The profile is trimmed very precisely. Otherwise, the aesthetics of the ceiling will be low.
Ceiling assembly
After assembling the frame, you can start laying the plates. Each cell is lifted up. Then it is tilted and introduced into the space behind the frame. Next, the plate is neatly laid in the appropriate place. If the material could not be installed exactly the first time, the cell is lifted by pressing on it from below.
First you need to install concentrated loads. Then you can install the fixtures in the suspended ceiling of the Armstrong type. These structural elements are assembled on the floor. A plate with an installed bulb rises up. The electrical appliance is connected to the wires.
Assembly is completed by the installation of blind plates. All structural elements must be installed evenly. If the stove stood sideways, they correct it. To do this, slightly press on one of the corners.
Having considered what Armstrong-type suspended ceilings are, their features and characteristics, you can correctly select and mount the system presented.